THE ROLE OF GODPARENTS
As you begin to prepare for your child’s Baptism, you are invited to reflect on the role and selection of a godmother and godfather. There are various customs and traditions that shape our understanding of the role and importance of godparents.
Prior to inviting a relative or close friend to assume the role of godparent, it is important to understand what our church teaches.
The role of the godparent should not be confused with that of a legal guardian. The relationship is spiritually based not legally based. Parents are invited to make their choice of godparents with the following in mind.
Inviting someone to be a godparent implies the following:
Godparents “must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized - child or adult - on the road of Christian life.”
The Rite of Baptism for Children asks the parents and godparents to renew their own rejection of evil and to profess their faith so that they may offer these to nurture and foster the faith of the growing child.
In reflection upon the responsibilities of a godparent, it is apparent that what is asked of the godparent is really the mission each of us as Christians accepted as a part of our own Baptism. All of the baptized are to nurture faith and reach out to others in faith throughout our lives.
The godparent is to be a model, guide, and witness for your child as he or she grows in faith. It is good when a godparent lives close to the family and is able to visit throughout the year. Before you invite someone, a relative or friend, to be your child’s godparent you are encouraged to spend time in prayer seeking guidance and wisdom.
Prior to inviting a relative or close friend to assume the role of godparent, it is important to understand what our church teaches.
- A godparent is to be at least sixteen years of age and have celebrated the sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist).
- The godparent is to be able and willing to enthusiastically profess his or her faith during the rite of Baptism and ready to model a Catholic Christian lifestyle. Naturally, weekly participation in the Sunday Eucharist is a hallmark of the Catholic Christian life.
- The child may have one or two godparents. The child does not have more than two godparents. If two godparents are chosen, one is to be a man and the other a woman.
- A Christian from another denomination may act as a Christian witness; however, it is necessary to have one Catholic godparent. You may have only one Christian witness.
- A Christian witness is a baptized Christian and a member of a non-Catholic ecclesial community. (e.g., Anglican, United, Presbyterian, etc.)
The role of the godparent should not be confused with that of a legal guardian. The relationship is spiritually based not legally based. Parents are invited to make their choice of godparents with the following in mind.
Inviting someone to be a godparent implies the following:
- A request by the parents for the assistance of the Christian community in general and the individual godparents in particular in raising their child in the Catholic faith.
- An admission by the parents of their awareness that they need this assistance.
- An affirmation of the faith of the individual invited to be a godparent and a challenge to them to witness their faith.
- A statement by the parents that they want their child to be positively influenced by the faith and lives of the people they have invited to be godparents.
- A reminder to the entire community that it has a shared responsibility to support each of its members.
Godparents “must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized - child or adult - on the road of Christian life.”
The Rite of Baptism for Children asks the parents and godparents to renew their own rejection of evil and to profess their faith so that they may offer these to nurture and foster the faith of the growing child.
In reflection upon the responsibilities of a godparent, it is apparent that what is asked of the godparent is really the mission each of us as Christians accepted as a part of our own Baptism. All of the baptized are to nurture faith and reach out to others in faith throughout our lives.
The godparent is to be a model, guide, and witness for your child as he or she grows in faith. It is good when a godparent lives close to the family and is able to visit throughout the year. Before you invite someone, a relative or friend, to be your child’s godparent you are encouraged to spend time in prayer seeking guidance and wisdom.